While Standing In The Lines of Life

You Must Choose the Path Less Crowded

In the journey of life, we will all face moments where we must choose which “line” to stand in.

Some lines will be full, buzzing with chatter, excitement, and the illusion of belonging.

Others will be sparse, lonely, and quiet.

This blog will share with you why the value of your choice will not be in the number of people in line with you, but in the purpose of where that line leads.

Recently, I came across a simple illustration titled "The Lines of Life."

I noticed five doors stood side by side, each with a label:

• To criticize

• To gossip

• To get involved

• To encourage

• To help

The first two doors, “Criticize and Gossip,” were overflowing with people, which made them long, noisy, and crowded.

The next doors, To Get Involved had fewer people, and the doors labeled To Encourage and To Help stood nearly empty.

That image held a message that hit me deeply.

Why the Most Important Lines Are Often the Emptiest

In our world today, it

• It's easy to join the crowd that criticizes.

• It takes no effort to sit on the sidelines and tear down what others are building.

• Even easier is gossip, because it requires no skill, no courage, only idle talk and misplaced curiosity.

But to get involved, encourage, or help?

These require something more than many are willing and able to comprehend or give.

They demand your time, energy, and vulnerability.

In many cases, you must stand up, be counted, and sometimes be ready to face resistance.

This is why those lines are short.

Not because they are unimportant, but because they need character, competence, and capacity.

You’re Standing in the Short Line

I am glad to be the carrier of the news and truth that you will often find yourself standing in the short line if you’re pursuing stability and greatness.

You’ll look around and notice that few people are on the same path.

It will be quieter, lonelier, and sometimes discouraging.

But that’s exactly why you must endure.

If your goal is to encourage others, help those in need, or meaningfully get involved in solving problems, you cannot measure your worth by the size of the crowd around you.

Greatness rarely starts in crowded places; it is often forged in solitude, persistence, and faith.

Three Lessons from “The Lines of Life”

1. Don’t choose your path based on popularity.
   I am starting with this because crowds don’t guarantee the right direction; they often follow what’s easy, not what’s meaningful.

2. Be willing to stand alone.
   The absence of people around you is not proof that you’re wrong.

   Many of the most impactful changes in history started with one person willing to endure the short line for as long as possible.

3. Help and encouragement are investments in the future.
   Just know that every act of help plants seeds.

   Understand that every word of encouragement waters these seeds.

   You may not see the full harvest today, but your actions will outlive the moment.

As Long as You’re Still Standing…

…you’re still in the race.

Even when the line you’ve chosen is empty, remain there if it’s the one that aligns with your values and your vision for life.

Stability and greatness come from consistent, intentional choices, not from following the crowd.

So the next time you see the “Lines of Life” before you, resist the pull of the noisy, crowded doors.

Walk towards the quiet ones marked “To Get Involved, “To Encourage,” and To Help.”

You might be surprised at the impact you can have, even when the line feels lonely.

Doing this means you accept the truth that the world doesn’t need more critics; it needs more builders because builders are always in short supply.